Black Metal vs. Blackened Death Metal
Black metal and blackened death metal are both extreme subgenres of heavy metal, but they have distinct characteristics.
Black Metal
- Raw and atmospheric: Often characterized by a raw, lo-fi production, creating a cold, atmospheric sound.
- Tremolo picking: Fast, repetitive guitar picking for a chaotic, dissonant effect.
- Shrill vocals: High-pitched, often harsh and aggressive vocals.
- Mysticism and anti-Christian themes: Frequently explores occult, pagan, or Satanic themes.
- Examples of bands: Darkthrone, Mayhem, Burzum
Blackened Death Metal - Aggressive and technical: Combines the raw energy of black metal with the technicality and brutality of death metal.
- Mixture of styles: Blends tremolo picking, blast beats, and death metal-style breakdowns.
- Deep, guttural vocals: Often incorporates death metal-style vocals alongside black metal screams.
- Focus on technicality: Emphasizes complex song structures and intricate guitar work.
- Examples of bands: Behemoth, Nile, Dimmu Borgir
In essence, blackened death metal is a fusion of black metal and death metal, taking elements from both genres to create a more extreme and complex sound. While black metal often prioritizes atmosphere and raw aggression, blackened death metal focuses on technicality and brutality.
